Master of Health Sciencec (OMT)

MASTER OF HEALTH SCIENCE

(ORTHOPAEDIC MANIPULATIVE THERAPY)

FACULTY OF HEALTH STUDIES

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INTRODUCTION

The Faculty of Health Studies at Charles Sturt University and the Australian Association of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists (AAOMT) have collaborated to offer a Master of Health Science (Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy).

The AAOMT is an incorporated association whose members are registered physiotherapists currently working in private practices or in the health care system. The AAOMT's approach to manual therapy has been influenced by the Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) system initiated by Karltenborn and Evjenth and others and developed by Atkinson. This has continued to evolve with the increased availability of research and transition towards more evidence based practice. Orthopaedic manipulative therapists trained in this tradition are highly skilled in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the neuro-muscular-articular system and are expected to have a detailed knowledge of the anatomy, kinematics and biomechanics of extremity and spinal joints, temporomandibular joints and the individual difference between these joints. In their clinical practice, orthpaedic manipulative therapists use and integrated approach in their assessment, clinical reasoning, diagnosis and treatment to provide:

relief of pain;
restoration of normal function;
restoration of normal tissue fluid exchange, soft tissue pliability and extensibility;
normal joint relationship and mobility;
correction of muscle weakness and imbalance;
stabilisation of joint hypermobility;
correction of postural imbalance;
functional reablement;
normalisation of neural mechanisms; and
prophylaxis

The Master of Health Science (OMT) is offered as a full fee paying program by distance mode (with residential weekends). All relevant theoretical material is provided by distance mode, with the practical component incorporated into residential weekends. The program has an advanced clinical skills focus related to the theory and practice of the OMT and combines this with an emphasis on research, project work and case studies. The program involves supervised clinical hours and will culminate in a critical review of the literature and the planning of a research project in the field of OMT.

PROGRAM AIMS

The course aims to produce post graduate students with specialised knowledge and skills to complement their undergraduate physiotherapy training. In addition the course will equip the student with the research skills necessary to appropriately evaluate current research and to initiate their own investigative studies.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

On successfully completing the course students will be able to:

develop an appropriate treatment plan based on the interpretation of the clinical findings of the assessment,
collect relevant subjective and objective data from all relevant sources both medical and non-medical,
develop advanced communication skills needed to establish a collaborative relationship with the client and other health members,
Incorporate research and newly acquired knowledge into areas of orthopaedic manipulative therapy,
develop, evaluate and disseminate best practice in the areas of manual and manipulative therapy.

CURRICULUM

The Master of Health Science (Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy) comprises 96 points of study over sic sessions:

SESSION ONE:

OMT511 Introduction to Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy

HLT505 Research Methods in Health Science A

SESSSION TWO:

OMT512 Distal lower Limb: Theory and Practice

HLT506 Research Methods in Health Science B

SESSION THREE:

OMT513 Proximal Lower Limb: Theory and Practice

OMT514 Lumbar Spine and Pelvis: Theory and Practice

SESSION FOUR:

OMT515 Thoracic Spine: Theory and Practice

OMT516 Lower Cervical Spine: Therory and Practice

SESSION FIVE:

OMT517 Upper Cervical Spine and TMJ: Theory and Practice

OMT518 Upper Limb: Theory and Practice

SESSION SIX:

OMT519 Research and Review (16 point subject)

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for admission to the Mater of Health Science (Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy) course, applicants will have:

completed a Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in Physiotherapy,
be eligible for registration through the NSW Physiotherapists' Registration Board,
have a minimum of two years clinical experience,
completed some of the continuing education courses offered by the AAOMT.

FEES

This is a full fee-paying course, with fees paid on a semester basis. The fee is $1450 per 8 point subject and is fully tax deductible. GST is not applicable.

ASSESSMENT POLICY

Assessment will be based on the objectives for each subject. All subjects will be offered in the distance education mode (with practical residents) and will be assessed by a combination of written essays/assignments, theory and practical skills examinations, project work and clinical tasks. A program committee has been established to oversee the implementation of the program including monitoring the assessment procedures.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Residential and clinical components of the program will be conducted in premises in Sydney. Although students will have comprehensive notes and reference material in distance mode form, they will be required to attend the residential and clinical components of the program. Students have access to Charles Sturt University's internet and online library resources. Program materials for subjects include current perspectives from all related medical specialties (eg diagnostic imaging, physiology).

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION

This program is for practising and registered physiotherapists wishing to obtain expertise in OMT.

Graduates from the program are eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists.

ENQUIRIES

All initial enquiries, please contact

Paul Marshall

PO Box 436

Raymond Terrace NSW 2324

Ph 02 6051 6827

Fax 02 6051 6988

Mob 0416 291 407

Email pmarshall@csu.edu.au